Apparatus for converting fuel into power.



Patented Feb. l8, I902. G. J. WEBER. APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING FUEL INTUPOWER.

(Application filed Feb. 17, 1899.)

(No Model.)

\E 0 0 o .0 oo o o o o 0 O O 0 0 0 O 0 0 n 0 0 0 INVENTOR.

WITNESSES BY W ATTORNEY.

E'nrqa 13''. Weber,

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linemen fares ATENT FFICE.

GEORGE J. lVEB lilt, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING FUEL INTO POWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters lPatent N0. 693,766, datedFebruary 18, 1902. Application filed February 17, 1899. Serial No.705,769- (No model- T0 aZZ whom it nmy concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE J. WEBER, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing in Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State ofMissouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatusfor Converting Fuel into Power, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in gas-engines of the classoperated by the use of oil, gasolene, or carbon in comminuted form.

The object of my invention is to provide a gas-engine having a cylinderand means for compressing air therein with a fuel-receptacle, means forconveying the fuel into the cylinder, a vaporizing-chamber normallydisconnected with the cylinder, but adapted to be connected therewith,means by which the compressed air in the cylinder forces the fuel intothe vaporizing-chamber in a finely-divided state, and means for ignitingthe mixed air and fuel.

My invention provides, further, a gas-engine provided with a cylinder,means for compressing air therein, a fuel-receptacle, a dipper whichalternately enters the fuel-receptacle and the cylinder for conveyingthe fuel from the receptacle into the cylinder, a vaporizing-chamber, apassage connecting the vaporizing-chamber with the cylinder, and meansfor opening and closing the said passage.

My invention consists, further, in providing a gas-engine having theordinary cylinder and piston with a fuel-receptacle adapted toreceiveadevice therein which will take up some of the fuel contained inthe receptacle and transfer it into the cylinder in which air has beencompressed, means being also provided by which the fuel is suddenlythrown into a finely-divided state in contact with the compressed air.

My invention provides, further, means by which the air which has beencompressed in the cylinder is permitted to suddenly expand in contactwith fuel which has been introduced into the cylinder-from afuel-receptacle by means of a dipper which alternately enters thecylinder and the fuel-receptacle.

My invention provides, still further, means by which the fuel in thereceptacle therefor is kept at a certain predetermined degree of heat.By thus regulating the temperature of the fuel it is prevented frombecoming too heated and flashing before the proper time. By having thefuel-dipper enter directly into the cylinder from the fuel-receptaclethe oil or other fuel is subjected to a high degree of heat during andprior to the expulsion of the fuel from the dipper. At the same time thedipper imparts heat by conduction to the fuel held in the receptacle,inasmuch as the dipper is highly heated by its entrance into thecylinder.

My invention provides, further, certain novel features of constructionin gas-engines hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings,'illustrative of my invention, Figure Irepresents an inner elevation View of the cylinder-head with the fuelreceptacle or well shown in vertical section, a portion of the headbeing broken away. In this View the dipper is shown in the elevatedposition in solid lines and in the lower position in dotted lines. Fig.II rep resents a vertical sectional view taken on the dotted line a b ofFig. I looking in the direction indicated by the arrow, the dipper beingshown in the elevated position and a portion of the fuel-regulatingchamber being shown in section. Fig. III represents an end view of thecylinder-head, a portion of the same and the vaporizing-chamber beingbroken away in order to show a'portion of the valve which controls thepassage leading from the cylinder to the vaporizing-chamber. Fig. IVrepresents a front elevation view of the dipper provided with swingingperforated vaporizing-plates. Fig. V represents a vertical sectionalview of a portion of thehead containing the passage leading therethroughfrom the cylinder to the vaporizing-chamber. In this view the dipper isshown in position be fore the said passage, the valve controlling thepassage being shown in the open position, the oblique dotted lineindicating the position of the valve when in the closed position. The

dotted line cf of this figure indicates the line on which the portionshown in section in Fig. III is taken.

Similar letters of reference indicate simi lar parts.

A indicates the cylinder, 13. the piston, and

C the cylinder-head, of a gas-engine of the four-cycle typethat is, ofthe typein which stroke, the next stroke in the exhaust-stroke,

and the next outstroke the one in which air is taken into the cylinder.Upon the outside of the cylinder-head, centrally located thereon, is avaporizing or igniting chamber D of anyv convenient form, connected withthe interior of the cylinder through the head by means of a passage E,which is opened or closed by means of a rotary or a rock valve F,disposed transversely in the cylinder-head and comprising, preferably, acylindrical shaft provided with a notch G, adapted to aline with thepassage E, and provided at its outer end with a crank-arm H, by means ofwhich the valve-shaft F is rotated or rocked so as to open or close thepassage E. The chamber D may have, as shown in the drawings, the form ofa rectangular body with an open end adjacent to the head of thecylinder. Encircling the shaft G near its outer end is mounted a sleeveI, the periphery of which is provided with a screw-thread adapted to fitthe screw-threaded inner periphery of the opening in the cylinder-headin which the shaft F is rotatably fitted. The sleeve I serves as apacking-sleeve, between the inner end of which and a shoulder on theshaft F is placed packing material serving to seal the bearing againstgas leakage. Across the passage E in the head 0 is provided a verticalgroove J, in which is reciprocally mounted a dipper K, provided,preferably, with a trans verse opening therethrough (indicated by L)adapted when the dipper is at its upper position to be in alinement withthe passage E below the cylinder A, and connected internally therewithis a fuel receptacle or well M, inclosed on all sides but the top, whichis connected with the interior of the cylinder through the groove J. Thefuel-well is adapted to contain any desirable form of fuel, such as oil,gasolene, or carbon in the form of an impalpable powder. When used tohold oil or gasolene, it is connected with a regulatingtank N by'meansof a pipe 0, in which is provided any of the common forms of checkvalves to prevent the backflow. of the oil. This check-valve isindicated by P. The regulating-tank is fed through a pipe Q, the upperend of which is connected with a fuelsupply tank located above the tankN, so that the oil will flow through the pipe Q into the tank N bygravity. The pipe Q within the tank N'is provided with a valve R, whichopens or closes through the intermediacy of a float S,connected with thevalve R by means of a lever T, pivotally supported within the tank N andpreferably upon the pipe Q, as shown. The dipper K is reciprocatedvertically in the groove J by means of a link U,

one end of which is pivotally connected with the dipperthrough theintermediacy of a pin or bolt V, secured to the body of the dipper, andthe other end being pivotally secured to the outer end of a crank-armXV, secured to the inner end of a rock-shaft X, rotatably mounted in abearing provided through the cylinder-head O. The rock-shaft X may bepacked in its bearing in a manner similar to that shown with referenceto the shaft F. The outer end of the shaft X is provided with acrank-arm Y, by means of which the shaft is rocked. Any desirablemechanism maybe employed to rock the shafts F or X at the proper times.The dipper K in its downward stroke enters the f uel-receptacle M. Thedipper is provided in the opening L with one or more plates y,preferably provided with perforations, recesses, or other interstices,in which fuel from the well or receptacle M is carried by adhesion.These plates y are preferably disposed perpendicularly to the axis ofthe opening L, so that air passing through will pass through theperforations in the said plates, and thus better absorb the oil carriedtherein. In Fig. V, I have shown the perforated plates y as hinged inthe opening L. This construction permits the sudden passage into or outof the vaporizing-chamber D without too greatresistance. Surrounding thefuel-well M is a jacket Z, between which and the outer wall of thereceptacle M is a space adapted to contain water to regulate the temperature of the fuel. Water is circulated therein through the pipes gand it, connected to any suitable water-supply.

. w and 2 indicate, respectively, the air-valve and the exhaust-valve,which may be located in any suitable position with respect to thecylinder. Suitable portslead therefrom, and any of the well-known meansof operating the said valv s at the proper times may be employed.

The following is a description of the opera-' tion of themechanismillustrated as a means of carrying my process into effect.Nlien the piston B is on its outstroke, the air-valve :20 opens,permitting the cylinder to fill with air. At the end of the said strokethe valve x closes, and the air within thev cylinder is compressed onthe instroke. When the instroke hasvbeen about completed, the dipper Kwillbein the raised position,with its opening L in alinement with thepassage E. At this time the crank-arm II is rocked, thus opening thevalve F, controlling the passage E, when a portion of the compressed airin the cylinder suddenly rushes through the opening in the dipper K pastthe plates y into the vaporizing-chamber D. The dipper K, having pre-vviouslybeen inserted into the fuel-receptacle M, is covered by adhesionwith fuel therefrom. The sudden passage of a portion of the compressedair from the cylinder through the passage E causes it to impinge withgreat force against the fuel carried by the dipper, causing adisintegrating of the oil into a very finely-divided condition, in whichform,mixed with the air, it passes into the vaporizing- IIO- chamber,the walls of-which are heated to the igniting temperature of the mixtureor the interior of which is provided with an igniting device, such asare commonly used for such purposes, as an electric spark or anignitingtnbe. The ignition of the portion of air expelled from thecylinder mixed with the fuel taken up from the dipper causes anexplosion in the vaporizing-chamber and a discharge back therefrom ofthe gas through the passage E and the opening L of the dipper into thecylinder, igniting all the mixed fuel and air containedin thecylinder,and thus producing the power stroke by forcing the pistonoutward. When the portion of the compressed air that passes into thevaporizer passes the dipper K, it takes up more fuel than needed for anexplosive mixture. This excess of fuel on reentering the cylindercombines with the remaining portion of the compressed air and being in afinely-divided condition and at a high temperature perfect combustiontakes place, resulting in great efficiency in the engine. The fuel inthe well H is heated to a point just below the flashing or vaporizingpoint through the intervention of the entrance. therein of the heateddipper to the direct action of the heat from the combustion in thecylinder and to the heat communicated through the cylinder-Wall to thefuel-receptacle Wall. By regulating the flow of Water around thefuel-Well M the temperature may be regulated in the fuel at the properpoint. The height of the fuel in the well ill is kept at a given pointby means of the check-valve P and the Valve R. WVhen the oil falls inthe fuel-well M, oil will pass the check P through the pipe 0 into thefuel-well until it rises to a height level with the oil in the tank N.When the oil falls in the tank N, the float S willalso fall,thus openingthe valveRthrough the intermediacy of the lever T, and oil will flowthrough the pipe Q into the tankN until the float S rises, so as toclose the valve R. The regulating of the height of the fuel in thereceptacle Mpermits the immersion of the dipper K an equal amount eachtime it descends, thus regulating the amount of fuel taken up each time.lVhile I have illustrated a system of valves, a float, and piping forregulating the height of fuel in the fuel-receptacle, it is obviousthatother means may be employed for maintaining such regulation that wouldbe included in myinvention. In the use of the term dipper as applied tothe member K and as employed in the claims I take it in its genericsense and do not restrict that portion of my invention to any particularcontrivance, but intend to include any device such as will pick up fuelby insertion therein. The employment in dippers of the kind illustratedof perforated plates or similar devices is of minorimportance and may beentirely dispensed with, their use being to facilitate the dispersion ofthe fuel upon subjecting it to the sudden air-blast, but not beingessential to the successful operation of the dipper.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. In a gas-engine,the combination with the cylinder, of afuel-receptacle, means for heating the said receptacle,acooling-jacketaround the said receptacle, and a dipper adapted to alternately enterthe fuel-receptacle and the cylinder, substantially as described.

2. In agas-engine,thecombination with the cylinder,of means forcompressing air therein a liquid-fuel receptacle, means for conveyingthe liquid fuel therefrom into the cylinder in a liquid form, avaporizing-chamber normally disconnected but adapted to be connect edwith the cylinder, means by which the 4. In agas-engine,the combinationwith the cylinder,of means for compressing air therein,

ioo

a liquid-fuel receptacle, means for conveying the fuel therefrom intothe cylinder, a vaporizing-chamber, a passage connecting the cylinderwith the vaporizing-chamber, a valve controlling thesaid passage, andmeansfor igniting the mixed air and fuel, substantially as described.

5. Inagas-engine,thecombinationwiththe cylinder,of means forcompressingair therein, a liquid-fuel receptacle, a dipper adapted to convey fuelfrom the receptacle into the cylinder, a vaporizing-chamber, a passagecon-' nectin g the cylinder with the vaporizing-chamber, a valvecontrolling the said passage, and means for igniting the mixed air andfuel, substantially as described.

, 6. In agas-engine,the combination with the cylinder,of means forcompressing air therein, a vaporizing-chamber, a passage connecting thevaporizing-chamber with the cylinder, a

fuel-receptacle, a dipper, means for reciproeating the dipper from thefuel-receptacle across the said passage, and a valve controlling theopening and closing of said passage, substantially as described. i '7.In agas-engine,the combinationwith the, cylinder provided with suitableinlet and exhaust ports, of the piston, a fuel-receptacle, a dipper,means for moving the dipper alternately into the fuel-receptacle and thecylin- -WNW. w

der, a vaporizing-chamber adjacent to'the cylinder, and means by whichthe vaporizingchamber is connected with the cylinder when the dipper hasreached the proper position in the cylinder, substantially as described.

8. In agas-engine,the combination with the cylinder, of the piston, avaporizing-chamber normally disconnected from the cylinder, means forconnecting the cylinder With the vaporizing-chamber, for the passage ofcompressed air from one to the other, a dipper, means for placing thedipper in contact with the compressed air during such passage, a fuelreceptacle adapted to contain a fuelsupply and to receive the dippertherein, and means for maintaining the fuel-supply at a given level,substantially as described.

9. In a gas-engine, a fuel-dipper comprising a body provided with anopening therethrough, and one or more swinging plates located in thesaid opening, substantially as described.

'adapted to enter the fuel-receptacle, a rockshaft provided with acrank-arm, a link connecting the dipper with the crank-arm, and meansfor rocking the shaft, substantially as described.

12. In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder, of a dipperreciprocatively mounted in the cylinder, a rock-shaft, means forreciprocating the dipper when the shaft is rocked, substantially asdescribed.

13. In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder-head provided onits inner face with ways, of a dipper reciprocatively mounted in saidways, a vaporizing-chamber upon the outside of the head, a passage fromthe vaporizing-chamber to the path of the dipper, a valve controllingsaid passage, a rockshaft extending through the head and provided withan inner and an outer crank-arm, and a link connecting the dipper withthe inner crank-arm, substantially as described.

14. In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder, of means forcompressing air therein,means for bringing fuel into the cylinder, avaporizing or igniting chamber located outside the cylinder, a passageconnecting the cylinder and said vaporizing-chamber, and means by whicha portion of the compressed air is allowed to escape from the cylinderthrough the said passage into the vaporizingchamber, substantially asdescribed.

.15. In a gas-engine the combination with the cylinder, of means forcompressing air therein, a vaporizing-chamber, a passage connecting thevaporizing-chamber with the cylinder, means for opening and closing thesaid passage, a fuel-dipper provided with an opening therethrough forreceiving the fuel, and

'means for moving'the dipper in the cylinder so that the opening in thedipper may be brought in register with the said passage, substantiallyas described.

16. In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder, of means forcompressing air therein, a vaporizing-chamber, a passage connecting thevaporizing-chamber with the cylinder, means for opening and closing thesaid passage, a fuel-dipper comprising a body provided with an openingtherethrough, one or more plates provided with interstices mounted inthe said opening, and means for so moving the dipper as to bring thesaid opening in the dipper in register with the said passage,substantially as described.

17. In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder, of means forcompressing air therein, a vaporizing-chamber, a passage connecting thevaporizing-chamber with the cylinder, means for opening and closing thesaid passage, a fuel-dipper comprising a body provided with an openingtherethrongh, one or more swinging plates mounted in the said opening,and means for so moving the dipper as to bring the said opening in thedipper in register with the said passage, substantially as described.

18. In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder, of means forcompressing air therein, a vaporizing-chamber, a passage connecting thesaid chamber with the cylinder, means for opening and closing the saidpassage, a fuel-receptacle, a fuel-dipper comprising a body with anopening therethrough, a swinging plate mounted in the said opening, andmeans for so moving the dipper from the fuel-receptacle into thecylinder as to bring the said opening therein in register with the saidpassage, substantially as described.

19. In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder, of means forcompressing air therein, a vaporizing-chamber, a passage connecting thesaid chamber with the cylinder, a valve controlling the said passage, afuel-receptacle, a fuel-dipper reciprocatively mounted in the cylinderand adapted to enter the fuel-receptacle, the dipper being provided withan opening therethrough adapted to be brought into register with thesaid passage, and a perforated swinging plate mounted in the saidopening and resting normally at right angles to the said opening,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence oftwo witnesses.

GEORGE J. WEBER.

Witnesses:

WARREN D. HOUSE, JULIUs J. KARGES.

